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VILLAGE NEWSLETTER
January 2001

For
Doddington, Newnham & Wychling

From The Vicarage

Dear Parishioners

Do people make them any more? Every year I used to resolve to give up smoking. 1 started when I was about 10 years old. My friend Derek and I were playing pontoon and smoking some American cigarettes, which my father had been given. Derek was sick but I was not. He probably never smoked ever again, but I did. Eventually 1 was smoking 30 or 40 a day and 1 wanted to give up because I knew that it was unhealthy for me and for the family. But the problem was I could not do it. Many times 1 threw away packets of cigarettes and lighters and said "That's it!" but I always went back to them. I used to resolve every New Year to give up and would smoke continually up until midnight on 31st December. But the next day I would find that my resolve had disappeared and I would have "just one." I eventually stopped smoking some twelve years ago during Lent (the weeks before Easter). I knew how offensive the family found my smoking. I knew I risked dying from lung cancer just as my father and father in law had. I knew that I was setting a bad example to the young people in the parish. But still I could not stop.

Eventually I told some people who were meeting during Lent in our house. They said that they would pray for me. They did and I stopped smoking that evening. The next day I desperately wanted a cigarette and bought a packet often. But after taking just one puff, I threw them away because it was disgusting and I have never wanted a cigarette since that day! When I told the group what had happened one of them said that he had been praying for me. He said that if ever I was tempted to have a cigarette that it would taste horrible and make me feel sick. His prayer was answered, thank God.This year I shall try to cut down on eating and drinking in order to lose a bit of weight, so please pray for me!

But as a church we do want to do something practical in 2001. Do you remember Hurricane Mitch? I asked you to help by providing certain items to help the people affected by this hurricane. In just two days you gave 4 tons of foodstuff which Myrtle and I were able to take down to a ship leaving from Portsmouth. We want to do something 'practical' again this yew. We are discussing how we might help children in Romania by building or refurbishing and equipping and orphanage. This would mean collecting the necessary building materials, taking them out to Romania and doing the actual work of putting in new bathrooms or what ever. We will be looking fof help in terms of materials, time, and money of course. An alternative project might be to build a school in Zambia. Again this would be a 'hands on' project involving people actually going out to Zambia for one or two weeks. We would hope that everyone in our various parishes, whether churchgoers or not would become involved.
If you would like to find out more, please ring me on 886265 or Tim Sidney on 521714.

Meanwhile Myrtle and I wish you all
A Very Happy 2001
Roy Kilford

CHURCH SERVICES DURING JANUARY

New Services

From January 1st the ASB services are no longer authorized for use in the Church of England. We shall be using the new forms of service from Common Worship. This is the new Prayer Book of the Church of England. Holy Communion 2 is identical to The Book of Common Prayer Communion Service; Order 1 is very similar to the ASB Rite A service, and Order 1 (Traditional) is more or less identical to the ASB Rite B service. The family Communion is a shorter and simplified form of the Order 1 service.

PAGE 2.

DODDINGTON CHURCH FLOWER ROTA
1st January to 28th January 2001 Mrs M. Chastney.
If anyone would like to be included on the rota please contact Mary Chastney on (01795) 886 245, as soon as possible. If you don't feel that you can arrange flowers but would like to contribute a little cash to the flower fund Mary would receive it!

DODDINGTON COFFEE MORNING.

The first of three mornings will he in the village hall on Saturday 20th January 2001 from 9.3Oam to 11,3Oam. We hope it will be a pleasant social occasion and will raise money for the Knit - Wits to enable us to purchase wool to continue knitting blankets for OXFAM, Teddies for Tragedies and jumpers. Admission is free, there will be a raffle and stalls including cakes, soft toys and hris a brac. Please come and enjoy a natter over a cup of coffee/tea.

AEROBICS.
Ros' Aerobics returns to Newnham Village Hall for 2001, on Wednesday 3rd January at 8.pm.
Old and New members welcome, to work off those Christmas Chocolates.
Low impact aerobics for all ages.
For further information contact; Ros Taylor on 890785.

DISC0VERY PRE- SCHOOL.
Discovery Pre -school are reopening!
Nicky Lord and Liz Bayford are happy to announce that Discovery Pre - school will he re-onening for 2 sessions per week after the February half term. It will run in the school hall on Monday and Friday mornings, initially from 9.3Oam to 11.15am, until other qualified staff can be found.

Please spread the word that we are looking for qualified Pre -school workres in order to extend our services and of course that we welcome children aged 2 1/2 to 5 years. We would also be grateful to receive:

1. Any good quality jigsaw puzzles.
2. Toys for this age group.
3.Some of that interesting packaging off your Christmas purchases and presents for some high class junk modelling!
4.Unwanted Christmas presents that we could subsequently raffle or sell.

If anyone would like their child to attend the Pre - school, or would like to help at the occasional session or has some of the above please contact Nicky Lord. 886 473.

NEWNHAM VALLEY' W.I.
We meet on the 3rd Thursday of each month at Newnham Village Hall at 7.3Opm.
The meeting on January' 18th have as their speaker Mrs Harris will be speaking on 'Writing in Books' and the competition 'An interesting Old Book'.
New members are always welcome.

DAPBY & JOAN CLUB.
The club hope to have their first meeting in the year 2001 on January 12 (weather permit) at Doddington Village Hall at 2pm.
We would welcome any new members for a couple of hours enjoying either a game of whist, scrabble or crib. We have a raffle, bring and buy and not forgetting a cup of tea/coffee. Beside everyone has a chat . Thansport at times can be difficult but one thing is if you can get to us we will see you get transport home.
Our second meeting in January is on the 26th.

CHRISTMAS CARDS.
Once again I will be collecting you last years cards. Anytime from now to the 20th January. NOT after that date.

SILVER PAPER (clean) and STAMPS.
These articles are collected an through the year and sent to the Guide Dogs for the Blind.

The last two items plc&se leave at Victoria Bungalow, Doddington . Thank you Joan.

PAGE 3. Closing Date 24.1.01.

Doddington Parish Council meeting held Monday 11th December 2000.
10 minutes public discussion time, reminder to the Parish Council for a footpath sign to be put up near the yew tree on the Street

The Picnic Bench has been repaired by Mr Constable who was saddened that it needed to be repaired due to vandalism There was no charge to the Parish Council on this occasion.

Swale in Bloom donated some tulips bulbs to the Parish Council which have now been planted in the playing field together with some shrubs.

Doddington Parish Council Village Questionnaire response was good with the number one priority (2 5%) being traffic calming. The Chairman thanked Ian Woodhouse for all his hard work on planning and collating the infonnation. The questionnaire will be studied and then discussed in more detail at the next meeting. The resiting of the millennium sign at Church Hill end of the village was raised. Linda agreed that she would get a costing form Dickens Forge, before the precept was agreed. It is envisaged that the precept will remain the same this year unless expenditure is identified as being necessary.

Change of use of the shop amendment no 2. The new proposal for 11 parking spaces on East boundary opposed to 8 parking spaceson west boundary After much discussion it was agreed that the blind exit onto the road, plus the inevitable street parking and late night traffic would adversely affect local residents. Councillors voted on whether to oppose planning application, 6 Councillors voted against application 1 Councillor abstained.

Mar Chastney and Barry West reported on KAPC Swale Area Meeting held on Dec 4t Swale Environment and Planning Services have a Government directive to identify contaminated land, if anyone knows of any land that causes problems for animals or people due to contamination Swale Environment and Planning Services would like to hear about it. KAPC will also be complaining to Seeboard about the prolonged power cuts that have affected Swale recently.

Ian Woodhouse has taken responsibility for the monthly list of Highway issues requesting work to he done by the Highways dept. Potholes should he reported directly to Swale on 01795 417210

Rodmersham Parish Council have written to inform Doddington Parish Council of the proposal to close Highsted Valley to through traffic. The Clerk to write hack to confinn opposition to this proposal.

More parents of secondary school children have contacted the Parish Council re; the anomalies experienced with bus fares. Parents are having to pay frill fare for children travelling to school before 9.00 am or take them themselves if they are not going to the designated school. Anyone else experiencing problems please contact Parish Council.

Ridham Dock SJTA incinerator planning application has been turned down, the Parish Council was very pleased to hear that all the hard work that went into the opposition paid off

Date of next meeting Monday 8th January 2001, 8pm in Village Hall, everybody welcome.

Continued on page 4.

PAGE 4. Closing Date 24.1.2001.

DODDINGTON WASTE PAPER COLLECTION For those who are unable to take their waste paper to either of the recycling sites in the village and who live in The Street including Sunnyside, we have just been notified that Swale Borough Council will be extending their collection which already takes place in Newnham to Doddington, on alternate Tuesdays for a trial period starting on Tuesday 2 January 2001.

Paper and paper products, cardboard etc must be put out at the edge of your property in carrier bags or boxes NOT black plastic sacks, which will not be collected, by 7am on the morning of the collection as Swale cannot be certain of the exact time of the collections.

Further collections will be on January 16 and 30 and February 13 and 27. This has been arranged to try to get more people to recycle their waste, but please in the interests of a litter free village make sure the bags and boxes are secure and if by chance you miss the collection you remove them by the evening.

DODDINGTON PARISH COUNCIL.. STOP PRESS.

We have received plans for the proposed re- development of existing telecommunications base station to facilitate upgrading and site sharing at Colyers Farm Doddington (the site of the existing mast beside the motor way' bridge at Erriott Wood Corner) this will be discussed at our meeting on 8 January 2001. If you have any comments please make them to a Parish Councillor before the meeting, or come to the meeting 8pm Doddington V/Hall.

DODDINGTON & DISTRICT W.I.
At the meeting on Wednesday 14th December 2000, President Mrs Martin welcomed members and visitors to our Christmas Meeting which included qualified National Federation Cookery Judge Mrs Geraldine Sampson who came by invitation to judge the competition for a 'Chocolate Log'.

Our business session was kept very brief and was followed by the presentation of two cups to Mrs Rosalind Wildash. The first for highest number of points in the year for Monthly Competition and second fot the most points in the year for the Flower of the Month Competition, well done.

For our entertainment we were introduced to Mr & Mrs Rob and Hilary Masters, retired Head Master and Head Mistress of Local schools. They gave amusing accounts of children's interpretation of Christmas customs and traditions and their programme concluded with Community Carol Singing. They were warmly thanked by Mrs Ethel Sage.

After tea and mince pies the winners of this months competition was announced. Joint first Mrs Joan Webster and Mrs Win Cuthbert with Mrs Ann Martin in third place. Mrs Mary Charlton was the winner of this months Flower of the Month competition.

Our next meeting will be on Thursday January' 11th at 2.15pm in Doddington V/Hall. The speaker will be Mr Peter Kennett giving us am illustrated talk on the History of Doddington the competition is for 'An interesting photograph of Doddington.
Visitors most welcome.

FOOTPATHS AND STYLES.

Newnham parish Paths Partnership will be applying in for a Local Authority grant early in the new year to fund any work needed to the paths and styles around Newnham. If you know of any styles that need replacing or any improvements needed to the footpaths, please let our footpath co - ordinator Roger Tuckey 890688 or Christina Dartnell 890461 know as soon as possible.

After the rich food of Christmas, this gentle pudding will be welcome. During baking, the mixture separates into a light sponge top with a smooth lemony custard layer underneath. A nice old-fashioned recipe.

Beat the buffer and sugar together until pale and fluffy. Carefully separate the eggs, and tip the whites into a clean, dry basin.

Beat the yolks one at a time into the creamed mixture, then beat in the flour. Now stir in the milk, followed by the lemon rind and juice. The mixture will be quite liquid.

Whisk the egg whites until stiff, them fold them carefully into the mixture until well blended. Pour into the prepared dish, and place it in the roasting tin half-filled with cold water. This will prevent the custard from over-heating.

Place carefully in the centre of the oven and bake for about 45 minutes. The top should be golden-brown and spongy to the touch. Serve immediately.

Serves 3 to 4.

A lovely pudding.

Doddinaton Parish Councils Village Questionnaire
The Parish Council would like to thank everyone who recently took the time to complete our questionnaire.

Despite being a busy time of the year for many families nearly a quarter of households returned the questionnaire, and it was very clear that people had put considerable thought into their responses.

The results of the questionnaire have now been collated, and will be discussed by the Parish Council early in the New Year, at which time we will inform everyone of how we intend to respond to the outcome.

We can tell you at this time that the top twenty items identified as priorities by the village are:(In order of priority)

PAGE 5. GLOSING DATE 24.1.01.

NEWNHAM PARISH COUNCIL.
Resume of minutes of part of the November 2nd meeting. Parish Roads....

1 Cllr Adgie had spoken to the Cleansing Department of SBC about flooding in Newnham Lane sandbags had been delivered.
2. The clerk had received a letter from Doddington Place promising that foot - path clearance on the Newnham Doddington Rood.
3.There have been numerous complains about mud and on - road parking at Scrambling Club Meeting. These will be forwarded to both the Club and the land - owner.
4. The dispute between Borough Council and the Parochial Church Council Over responsibility for the Church steps remains unsolved Cllr Seath is pursuing the matter.

Other Village Matters

1. There had been complains about the variable nature of postal delivery times in the Village. Cllr Woodall had spoken to the postman, who said that the volume of mail per area was the main factor - so if there's a lot for the East of the village, or Seed Road/Newnham Lane then there will be delays for those in the West

2. Cllr Adgie has volunteered to represent the Parish Council at meetings of the Kent Associations of Parish Council.

Can I point out this was a special favour it was not my fault it was late?

NEWNHAM PARISH COUNCIL.
Resume of minutes of last meeting 7th December 2000.

Recreation:
1.A meeting between Cllr Gunner as Chairwoman of the Fete Committee, Cllr Seath, representing the Parish Council and managers of Shepherd Neame with regard to the upkeep of the small plot of land behind the George Inn, where parts of village fete are held ended inconclusively.
The Fete Committee await the information on the brewery's future plans.

2. A site meeting was held at Wineycock between relevant local authority representatives and Parish Councillors, Swale Housing Association agreed to erect fencing around the part of the green where children currently' play football, and offered to sell to the Parish Council the area of land containing the former Wineycock cesspit (now disused).
Councillors discussed the acquisition of this piece of land, but are concerned that the costs of upkeep, land maintenance and insuring against injury, third party-claims etc. were unsustainable.
Further discussions between the interested parties will be held to investigate possibilities of joint funding, but much depends on the outcome of a survey of the land, which SHA are to undertake,

Parish Council Objectives....The following proposals for action in the future were listed (NOT in order of importance):

a.Traffic calming
b. Highways drainage...
c.Village facilities Recreation, Youth.
d. Church restoration
e. Nature Trails in surrounding countryside....
f. to raise the current low level of interest in Parish Council activities...
g. Low cost housing. Small sub - committees of Councillors to deal with the above topics, where not already in progress will be formed. If you have any views or ideas please contact any' of you Councillors - input from residents is essential

Other Village Matters..
. 1. Footpath fouling by dogs. Despite several appeals over the last year this nuisance continues to offend . Will those responsible for failing to control the deposition of the faecal output of their dogs please take note, the Dog Warden may not be so lenient next time..

2. Despite promises nothing has yet been done to clear the pathway' between Newnham and Doddington

3. The concerns of villagers about blocked drains, damage due to excessive rainfall, local flooding will be forwarded to Mr Haratbar of the Highway' Department by' Cllr Adgie, who has already achieved some success in curing similar problems in Newnham Lane.

Date of the next meeting.. Ordinary Parish Meeting will be held in the village hall at 7.5Opm on Thursday 4th January 2001.

PARISH COUNCIL MEMBERS...
Cllr Brian Seath, Chairman 890207.. Cllr Poger Woodall, Vice Chairman 890767. Cllr Chistina Dartnell Hon Treasurer 890/161.. Cllr Sue Gunner 890627.. Cllr Mike Meakins 890457... Cllr John Llewellin 890558.. Cllr John Adgie 890450... Clerk to the Parish Council Mrs Sheilagh Larret 890725.

THE WEATHER DECEMBER 2000.
The month began mild and wet, continuing the pattern that seemed to have established itself this autumn. Day time temperatures reached double figures for the first fifteen days, but since have fallen steadily. Only 5.5 degrees was reached on the 23rd, 4.1 on the 26th and 4.9 on the 27th. Overnight temperatures have varied considerably, but only since the 16th have we experienced some ground frosts. The lowest temperature recorded at the time of writing this is - 1.5 degrees on the night of the 27th.

Another particularly wet month with a total of 105.54mm so far. Much of this fell in a period of gales in the middle of the month when the wind gusted up to 52mph on the 12th, exceeding 50mph on a total of 8 days in this period. Two ground frosts and one air frost so far recorded. Mist and fog between the 22nd and 24th followed by 3cms of snow on the 28th.

So upon reflection, December seems to have provided us with a sample of most kinds of weather, it is a relief to be ending the year, with some seasonable temperatures - it should finish off a lot of the slugs and bugs that have ,been far too various.

Next month watch this space for the summary of the year 2000's weather, undoubtedly noteworthy' though not entirely' extraordinary. John Howell 28/12/00

. STOP PRESS... 28th -4c.... 29th -.8 ..... 30th -3.0 degrees.

WILDLIFE NOTES.
There still seem to be a few winter thrushes about; Nick Berry reports plenty of Field- fares in Newnham. Although over the Christmas period I have seen only a few individuals with the exception of a single flock of about sixty birds which passed overhead near Doddington Church. Redwings seem to be in very scarce supply, presumably because there is plenty of food available on the continent. Mick also reports an uncommon Lesser Spotted Woodpecker from near the George Inn , as well as a Treecreeper , several Marsh Tits and a number of Goldcrests from elsewhere in Newnham.

These last three speciae often feature in the mixed flocks of small birds which feed together in woodland at this time of the year. A flock which I recently saw in Sharsted Woods included at least a dozen Goldcrests, a number of Long - tailed Tits, Blue Tits and Great Tits, one or two Marsh Tits, a Treecreeper and a Great Spotted Woodpecker.

It's worth feeding the birds at this time of the year. This not only helps to keep many' alive but also gives you an opportunity' to vies the birds in close - up. Our back garden which is all of 4 yards square attracts a small flock of House Sparrows, some Dunnocks a Blackbird, a Robin several Great Tits and up to ten. Blue Tits. It makes for some great bird watching and no binoculars necessary. Birds love scraps which contain lots of energy and cooked rice, dampened bread or remains of meat or cheese. If you buy' bird food make sure you have a reputable source: look for the 'we're safe nuts' symbol on peanuts to make sure they don't contain dangerous toxins. The garden centre at Norton Corner stacks some good quality' bird feeders. Incidentally, some of the birds at your bird table may be long distance travellers, continental Blackbirds, Robins and Starlings all head to Britain in the winter because of our milder climate.

An unusual sighting to end. Nan Dalton saw a Cormorant fly over the fields at the west end of Doddington on the 8th December.

NEWSLETTER INFORMATION
If you have any news to be entered in the newsletter please put it in the letter box by 24th each month....
If you wish to put a yearly advert in please let us have it by the .20th each month o £12 or £24 ( small advert) full page yearly special rate.
If you do not wish to continue please write of phone 01795 886 896

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CLOSING DATE FOR FEBRUARY 2001.
24th January 2001.

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